New Zealand vs South Africa, 3rd Quarter-Final

Yet another World Cup ends in a heart-break for the South Africans. One has to feel really sorry for them. Wonder what their supporters and fans will be feeling like. Anyway on that note, time for me, Srivathsa to sign off on behalf of my colleagues, Sid V, Ajith and Pradeep. Sleep tight and don't forget to read the beautiful summary in three parts right above the last wicket description. It's a cracker of a summary! Bye!

Presentation:

Oram: I was thinking that I've got to go hard at this, or else I might not get near it. Thankfully I was tall enough and got there (referring to the Kallis catch). I suppose so, but I don't want to take credit for the win, they had a good partnership going, obviously Kallis an outstanding player - if I didn't take the catch it was 4 and they would've had the momentum. If it changes the game, I will take that. To be injury free, has been great, it is very tough to play consistently with all those injuries. That's why my cricket has gotten better. We got to win this from now, I guess, we have beaten SA, who beat India and are a damn good side. If we don't take belief from this, then there is no point in playing. We have got a talented, but inconsistent side, but I've never been more prouder than today be in the dressing room and wear a Silver Fern on. This will be right up there in the top 3, the win against SA at the Wanderers in 03 springs to mind. To be written off before the game and to come here and perform, when we don't have a great record is an unbelievable feeling.

Jacob Oram is the Man of the Match for his magnificent all-round performance.

Vettori: It was a team-effort, full credit to the boys. Guptill was excellent in the field and we did superbly in the field. We wanted 250, it was probably the best time to bat. We scrapped through to 220. The guys said that the wicket will get worse to bat on and we got the wickets of Kallis and AB, that's when we believed that we could win. Amazing piece of work from Guptill to get AB out and that's when we thought it could be our game. Big Jake has proved his worth in every game that he has played and today was another day. 4 wickets and a great catch as well, we can't ask for more from him. Great to see him being injury free as well. He is such a vital part of our side. We will be glued to the televisions tomorrow to watch the other semis. We have the reputation that we can beat any side on a given day, but inconsistency has thwarted us. We are known to be perennial semi-finalists and hopefully we will go one step further (and then cheekily corrects to two steps further.)

Smith: It's very difficult to explain how we are feeling right now. There are no words to describe our feelings. We have to take it on the chin and move on. We have let ourselves down and all credit to the Kiwis and we wish them all the best from here on. 210-220 was a very reasonable score to chase on this. Credit to Ryder and Taylor for batting well. We lost key wickets and that set us back. Hopefully in the years to come, the teams that come from SA will change the track record of not having won a knock-out game. I can't unravel the reason behind that track-record. It's time to move forward. The people back home in SA are very disappointed and no words can console them.

The look on Smith's face says it all. He is walking around with a shocked expression on his face. As are the other Proteas' team members. They will be feeling so low and down at the moment. The Kiwi team are ecstatic and they are hugging, embracing and jumping around. The whole Kiwi team do a lap of honor, thanking the crowd for their support.

Nathan McCullum: It is unbelievable, we tried to score 220-230. We should have scored more but the most important part was the gut and determination shown by Jesse and Ross in the middle overs. The way the boys bowled and fielded was outstanding. We need to field well to win games like these, the standard set in the field by Guptill and others was totally outstanding. The crowd was fantastic, they cheered good cricket and backed us.

A couple of things to be noted: This in all probability is Kallis' last World Cup game. Yesterday it was Ponting, today it is Kallis - who does not have a World Cup winning medal - which sadly will remain a dream. Wonder what is running through Allan Donald's mind? - the Black Caps bowling coach - who is a South African and was the last man out in that disastrous semi-final in 1999. On the one hand, he will be happy that his side are through to the semis, while as a South African he will be feeling sorry for some of his past mates.

Credit to Dan and Big Jake: Daniel Vettori's captaincy must be lauded for he kept on attacking right through, even when Kallis and Smith were going strong. Once Kallis got out, he tightened the screws further and that really put tremendous pressure on the South Africans. Dan kept 5-6 men in the ring, saved the singles and rotated the bowlers well. The Kiwis were aggressive with their body language and had a few verbals with Faf. On the other hand, Big Jake proved his value to this side by putting in a wonderful all-round show. He has borne a lot of criticism from the media back home for his inability to keep himself fit. But as Simon Doull said on air today, Oram - who had contemplated retiring after this tournament - is now having second thoughts and feels much fitter and stronger about his body.

The Big Jinx:Kepler Wessels, Hansie Cronje, Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock and now Graeme Smith. The jinx continues. One can't fathom how the South Africans conspire to defeat themselves everytime in a knock-out game in the World Cup. From 108/2 to 172 all-out - 8/64 of the most unbelievable madness from the South Africans handed the Kiwis the game. Amla's freaky wicket started off things, but South Africa were well in control of the match, till Big Jake with those huge hands took out Kallis with a fabulous catch - reminiscent of Kapil's match-winning catch to dismiss Sir Viv Richards, that set India on the way to win the World Cup. From then on, South Africa self-destructed like they only can and the Kiwis reached their 6th semi-final in 10 World Cups. South Africa still haven't won a knock-out game in a World Cup and this is the 5th time since 1992 that has happened.

43.2 Woodcock to Morne Morkel, out Caught by (sub)How!! SA are eliminated. What a sad way to end though. Yet another World Cup and they stick to their reputation - this one is the mother of all chokes. Morne Morkel comes down the track and had no other option but to go for the big hit. He went for it and holed out to How. It was well tossed up and Morne Morkel could not get the power to clear the man. End of Smith as ODI skipper of SA too - he has said that he will resign from his captaincy duties after the WC. Morne Morkel c (sub)How b Woodcock 3(17)

Woodcock to Morne Morkel, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

43.1 Woodcock to Morne Morkel, no run, flat delivery on off stump, Morne Morkel punches it back to Woodcock

Luke Woodcock [5.0-0-24-0] is back into the attack

42.6 Oram to Tahir, no run, good length delivery on off stump, Tahir gets right behind the line to push it to the off sicde

Imran Tahir, right handed bat, comes to the crease

42.5 Oram to du Plessis, out Caught by Southee!! NZ are one wicket away from winning! Big Jake has made up for the dropped catch, with this wicket. He raises the arms skywards and has a big smile on his face. du Plessis as he did all day, makes room and tries to drill it past the off side field, instead the carved hit goes low to the man at cover. An easy catch and a battling innings from du Plessis has come to an end. Sad way to end. He batted quite beautifully. Forlorn faces in the South African camp. du Plessis c Southee b Oram 36(43) [4s-3 6s-1]

Oram to du Plessis, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

42.4 Oram to Morne Morkel, leg byes, 1 run, slides down leg and catches the pad, a leg bye taken

42.3 Oram to du Plessis, 1 run, Guptill is a magnificent fielder, he dives to his left at cover and prevents the 4, it was heading to the fence, until Guptill flew

42.2 Oram to du Plessis, SIX!!, 6 of the most desperate runs in South Africa's history says Mark Nicholas on air, what a shot from du Plessis, makes room and gets under the good length ball, before he lifted it over a leaping How at long off, it was timed just enough to clear How, a definite boost to du Plessis and SA, they needed that

42.1 Oram to du Plessis, no run, very difficult chance gone down, it was hit hard and straight back at Oram, before he could get both hands to his left, the ball hit the hard part of the hands and went down to ground, Oram has already taken a couple of superb catches today, but he couldn't hang on, Oram has a wry smile or a grimace on his face

Jacob Oram [8.0-1-32-3] is back into the attack

41.6 Southee to Morne Morkel, no run, still round the wicket and angling in, on a short of length, Morne Morkel bottom edges the cut, the ball rolls near his feet

41.5 Southee to du Plessis, 1 run, advancing down the wicket and slams the full ball down to long on, another single

41.4 Southee to Morne Morkel, 1 run, Southee comes round the wicket, in a change of angle, full and wide outside off, Morne Morkel thrashes the square drive to sweeper cover, only a single, held the pose too as if he played that like Haydos - Morne Morkel has always said that his batting role-model was Haydos

41.3 Southee to Morne Morkel, no run, the variation from Southee, bouncer, but down leg, Morne Morkel with his tall frame ducks under that easily and lets it go

41.2 Southee to Morne Morkel, no run, low full toss, Morne Morkel swings from the crease, gets a bottom edge on the bounce to the keeper

41.1 Southee to du Plessis, 1 run, du Plessis is advancing all the time, down the wicket, Southee tries the full pitched delivery, du Plessis squeezes it down to long on, now there is protection for Southee in the deep

40.6 Vettori to Morne Morkel, no run, tossed up and outside off, Morne Morkel reaches out to cut, again du Plessis sends him back as the ball rolls to cover, straight to the fielder

40.5 Vettori to Morne Morkel, no run, floated well outside off, left alone

40.4 Vettori to du Plessis, 1 run, Vettori does well with the ball, but not with his fielding, lets it go through his hands, allows the single

40.3 Vettori to du Plessis, FOUR!!, this time he middles it well, comes down the track and takes it on the full, smashes it with all the brute force required, past mid on, since it is the batting PP, it is a boundary all the way, du Plessis has to be the man who has to win it single-handedly for SA

40.2 Vettori to du Plessis, no run, yorker on off and middle, du Plessis digs it out back to Vettori

39.6 Southee to Morne Morkel, no run, that one pitched on a yorker length and swerved away, Morne Morkel tried to whip through the on side, got a fat leading edge that rolled wide of backward point, du Plessis does not want the single

39.5 Southee to du Plessis, 1 run, Southee does well to follow du Plessis with a yorker length delivery, du Plessis digs it out to the short mid wicket region, a single taken

39.4 Southee to du Plessis, FOUR!!, du Plessis is fighting on, beautiful shot, comes down the track and takes it on the full, belts it over Southee's head, over the umpires' head as well, once you hit straight, invariably it will be a boundary, a pressure release for South Africa

39.3 Southee to Morne Morkel, 1 run, you can't watch the ball against this Kiwi side, Morne Morkel does that and nearly pays the price, dug out to backward point, How it is, if he had hit, Morne Morkel was walking back, Morne Morkel looked at du Plessis and then stopped, that made it life difficult, in the end the throw missed

39.2 Southee to Morne Morkel, no run, short of length delivery on off stump, Morne Morkel gets right behind the line and punches it to short cover

39.1 Southee to Morne Morkel, no run, swipe and a miss, Morne Morkel tries to hit that to Chittagong, connects some fresh air, it was on a back of a length outside off, kept low, Morne Morkel missed and Baz collected

Tim Southee [7.0-0-35-1] is back into the attack

38.6 Vettori to Morne Morkel, 1 run, flicked through mid wicket and Morne Morkel retains the strike with that run

38.5 Vettori to Morne Morkel, no run, Vettori stays round the wicket against Morne Morkel, punched from the crease back to Vettori

38.4 Vettori to du Plessis, 1 run, the drifting round-armish delivery from Vettori, du Plessis pushes it to long on, Vettori is firing it in all the time

38.3 Vettori to du Plessis, 2 runs, skips down and takes the full toss, before slamming it through cover for a couple

38.2 Vettori to du Plessis, no run, du Plessis looks to advance the wicket, Vettori is bowling from round the wicket, it is a low full toss that has been edged away to short third

38.1 Vettori to du Plessis, no run, fired in the full ball outside off, du Plessis digs it out to cover, straight to the fielder

Daniel Vettori [8.0-0-30-0] is back into the attack

Thanks Sid V. The famous 'C' word has come back to haunt the Proteas.

Right, I, Sid V, will hand it to Srivathsa. What's more, SA have taken the Batting PP.

37.6 N McCullum to Morne Morkel, no run, shouts of caaaatcchh, but Morne Morkel is safe, tossed up just outside off, Morne Morkel drills it back to the bowler, whether he gets a hand to it is not known, the ball rolls to mid off, but the fielder slides to his left and stops it

37.5 N McCullum to Morne Morkel, no run, flatter on the off stump, Morne Morkel defends it

Morne Morkel, left handed bat, comes to the crease

37.4 N McCullum to Steyn, out Caught by Oram!! Once again, a poor shot results in another downfall! N McCullum lands it on a good length, bowls it slower, shorter and gives it a bit of loop, Steyn dances down the track, looks to swipe across the line, he ends up getting a leading edge, Oram dives forward at point and takes a great catch with both hands, SA have collapsed further here. Steyn c Oram b N McCullum 8(18) [4s-1]

N McCullum to Steyn, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

37.3 N McCullum to Steyn, no run, tossed up, given some drift outside off, Steyn drives it to short cover

37.2 N McCullum to Steyn, no run, Steyn dances down the wicket, N McCullum drags it short and fires it closer to the pads, Steyn taps it to short mid wicket

37.1 N McCullum to Steyn, no run, quicker just outside off, Steyn goes back and taps it back to the bowler

36.6 Woodcock to Steyn, 1 run, lands this one on a good length but it is a bit leg-sidish, Steyn works it to fine leg

36.5 Woodcock to Steyn, no run, tossed up on the stumps, Steyn tries to force it through the leg side, gets an inside edge onto the pads

36.4 Woodcock to Steyn, no run, the armer from Woodcock, skids it straight on leg stump, Steyn prods forward and misses, he gets hit on the pads, rolls to the ground, that was sliding down the leg side

36.3 Woodcock to du Plessis, 1 run, full and flat outside off, du Plessis makes room, skips down the track, thumps it to short cover, Guptill falls to his right, but palms it to mid off, that was hit really hard by Faf

36.2 Woodcock to Steyn, 1 run, flatter and slightly short outside off, Steyn square cuts it to deep backward point

36.1 Woodcock to Steyn, no run, flatter on the off stump, pushed back to the bowler

36.1 Woodcock to Steyn, wide, flighted delivery, but spins down the leg side, Steyn misses the tickle to fine leg, wide given

Luke Woodcock [4.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack

35.6 N McCullum to Steyn, 1 run, lands it back of a length on the stumps, Steyn goes back and whips it to backward square leg

35.5 N McCullum to Steyn, no run, comes over the wicket, floats it full on middle and off, Steyn works it to short mid wicket

35.4 N McCullum to Steyn, no run, flatter, straightens on the off stump, Steyn pushes it to mid on, but Guptill dives to his left and stops it, he has really saved a lot of runs today in the field for the Kiwis

35.3 N McCullum to Steyn, no run, flatter and full just outside off, Steyn squeezes it out to the leg side

35.2 N McCullum to Steyn, no run, tossed up and full on leg, Steyn looks to whip it through the leg side, misses it and gets hit on the boot, lobs just wide of the short leg fielder

34.6 Oram to du Plessis, FOUR!!, ends the over in style, length delivery outside off, du Plessis thumps it past the flying Guptill at cover, screams along the carpet for a boundary

34.5 Oram to Steyn, 1 run, back of a length outside off, Steyn pushes it slightly away from the body, guides it to third man

34.4 Oram to Steyn, no run, short delivery, cuts back into Steyn and bounces a bit more, Steyn stands tall and defends it to the ground

34.3 Oram to Steyn, FOUR!!, poor ball from Jake, length delivery but slides down the leg side, Steyn glances it to fine leg to get off the mark

Dale Steyn, right handed bat, comes to the crease

34.2 Oram to Peterson, out Caught by Brendon McCullum!! Another one bites the dust! Oram stays over the wicket, slants across a back of a length delivery outside off, Peterson has a waft at it, gets a thin edge that is taken low by the keeper, NZ are coming closer to a famous win here. Peterson c Brendon McCullum b Oram 0(5)

Oram to Peterson, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

34.1 Oram to du Plessis, 3 runs, this is confidence from du Plessis, length delivery on the stumps, du Plessis skips down the track, chip/flicks it uppishly and falls safely at deep mid wicket, the batsmen almost collided with each other when they took off for the third, they take three runs

The ball has been changed here. It is the mandatory ball change.

33.6 N McCullum to Peterson, no run, tossed up on leg stump, Peterson backs away a little, dabs it to short cover

33.5 N McCullum to Peterson, no run, flatter, hones in straight on middle and off, Peterson blocks it

33.4 N McCullum to Peterson, no run, quick and in the channel just outside off, Peterson punches it to cover point

33.3 N McCullum to du Plessis, 1 run, flatter on middle and off, du Plessis shimmies down the track, taps it to mid off

33.2 N McCullum to du Plessis, no run, tossed up on middle and off, du Plessis gets forward and nudges it to short mid wicket

33.1 N McCullum to du Plessis, no run, quicker, holds its line outside off, du Plessis has a feel for it and gets beaten

32.6 Oram to Peterson, no run, great ball first up, yorker length that tails back into Peterson, he eases it to short mid wicket

Robin Peterson, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Drinks are on the field now. Well, South Africa are staring down the barrel here. The word Choke is on everybody's lips here. This is turning out to be another occasion where South Africa are making winning difficult here.

32.5 Oram to Botha, out Bowled!! Oram gets into the act now and SA are staring down the barrel here! He stays over the wicket, lands on a good length that cuts away a bit, Botha plays inside the line, the ball goes past his bat and clips the off stump, Big Jake is beaming with delight here. Botha b Oram 2(10)

Oram to Botha, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

32.4 Oram to Botha, no run, stays a bit wider of the crease, angles a length delivery on middle, Botha defends it back to the bowler

32.3 Oram to Botha, no run, on a good length outside off, Botha taps it to short cover

32.2 Oram to du Plessis, 1 run, back of a length angled into middle and off, du Plessis eases it to mid on, hares across for a quick single, Vettori is a bit slow in getting there, he fires in the throw but he misses at the bowler's end

32.1 Oram to du Plessis, no run, short of a good length outside off, du Plessis hangs back and punches it to cover

Jacob Oram [6.0-1-19-1] is back into the attack

Unbelievable scene after AB was run-out: The Kiwis are immensely likable gentlemen and are known to be more passive people when compared to their cousins from across the ditch - the ultra aggressive Aussies. But that all changed when Dan, Styris, Southee and Mills - who came in with drinks - were chirping away at Faf, for running out AB. They were in his ear and it needed AB to come to his mates rescue. Rod Tucker the ump came running and cooled things down, but not before Faf pushed Mills away. Then as everything settled, AB went off back to the pavilion. Only Baz from the Kiwi side was trying to settle down his team members.

31.6 N McCullum to Botha, no run, flatter on middle and off, Botha taps it back to the bowler

31.3 N McCullum to du Plessis, no run, N McCullum darts one quick on the off stump, du Plessis stays back and taps it to mid on

31.2 N McCullum to du Plessis, no run, quicker one, again skids through outside off, du Plessis dabs it to backward point

31.1 N McCullum to Botha, 1 run, slightly short on leg stump, Botha goes back, covers the line and works it to deep square leg

30.6 Woodcock to du Plessis, no run, flatter, lands it back of a length outside off, du Plessis goes back, turns it to short mid wicket

30.5 Woodcock to du Plessis, no run, flatter just outside off, du Plessis gets the bat down at the right time, defends it back to the bowler

30.4 Woodcock to Botha, 1 run, slightly short and wide this time outside off, Botha cuts it to short cover, Guptill dives forward, but palms it to mid off

30.3 Woodcock to Botha, no run, lots of ohhs and ahhs, flatter delivery skids through just outside off, Botha is cramped up to play the cut shot, goes through with the shot and cuts it to point

30.2 Woodcock to du Plessis, 1 run, flatter on the middle and leg stump, du Plessis works it to backward square leg

30.1 Woodcock to du Plessis, no run, stifled appeal for an LBW, but du Plessis survives, comes round the wicket, bowls the arm ball on the middle and leg stump, du Plessis pushes forward, the ball thuds into the pads, but that was sliding down the leg side

Luke Woodcock [3.0-0-18-0] is back into the attack

29.6 N McCullum to Botha, no run, flatter and full just outside off, Botha drills it back to Nathan, he fires back the throw to Brendon

29.5 N McCullum to Botha, no run, tossed up on the off stump, gets forward and pushes it back to the bowler

28.3 Vettori to du Plessis, no run, du Plessis advances down the track, Vettori slows it up and gives it a bit more drift, du Plessis gets the bat close to the pad, defends it to the ground

28.2 Vettori to du Plessis, no run, flatter just outside off, du Plessis taps it to silly point

28.1 Vettori to du Plessis, no run, quicker delivery on the stumps, du Plessis goes on the backfoot, defends it back to the bowler

Daniel Vettori [7.0-0-29-0] is back into the attack

Johan Botha, right handed bat, comes to the crease

27.6 N McCullum to du Plessis, out de Villiers Run Out!! South Africa are possibly thinking about the word Choke here! That is a massive wicket for NZ! N McCullum stays round the wicket, floats a full and flatter delivery on leg stump, du Plessis clips it to mid wicket, sets off for a difficult single, Guptill slides to his right, picks it up quickly and fires in the throw to Baz, it was a bit wide, but Baz collects it with both hands and breaks the stumps, AB put in the dive, but replays show that he was short of the crease, there is some sledging going on between the Kiwis and du Plessis, Southee claps at du Plessis, possibly telling him thank you for gifting them this wicket. de Villiers run out (Guptill/Brendon McCullum) 35(40) [4s-4]

N McCullum to du Plessis, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

The third umpire is being called into question here. The batsman in question is ABD. He looks to be in trouble.

27.4 N McCullum to Duminy, out Bowled!! That is a very poor shot from JP and NZ are right back into the game! N McCullum stays round the wicket for the left hander, floats a loopy delivery that goes straight on just outside off, Duminy goes for the cut, he misses and that crashes into the stumps, the match is now poised at an interesting stage here. Duminy b N McCullum 3(12)

N McCullum to Duminy, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

27.3 N McCullum to Duminy, no run, tossed up on leg stump, straightens after pitching, Duminy gets forward and defends it

27.2 N McCullum to Duminy, no run, flighted delivery on the stumps, Duminy comes down the track, converts it into a low full toss, drills it past Nathan who dives to his right, rolls to mid off

27.1 N McCullum to de Villiers, 1 run, quicker just outside off, de Villiers taps it to point

26.6 Southee to de Villiers, 1 run, fuller just outside off, de Villiers plays it late, opens the face of the bat and guides it to third man

26.5 Southee to de Villiers, FOUR!!, that is an absolute cracker from AB, length delivery on the stumps, de Villiers gets forward, presents the full face of the bat, drives it past the bowler, the timing is great and the ball crashes into the long on fence

26.3 Southee to Duminy, no run, good ball from Southee, short delivery just outside off, Duminy goes for the pull, gets a bottom edge onto the body, rolls to the ground, JP took his eyes off the ball on that occasion

26.2 Southee to Duminy, no run, back of a length on middle and off, Duminy hangs back, covers the line and defends it back to the bowler

26.1 Southee to de Villiers, 1 run, back of a length and slanted into de Villiers on the middle and leg stump line, he angles the bat and dabs it to cover point for a quick single

This match is fabulously poised. The Kiwis are doing the right thing by attacking the new man. There is a slip and 5 are in the ring, saving the single. The pressure is slowly mounting and we might see a rash shot or two from one of the two batsman.

25.6 N McCullum to Duminy, no run, flatter on the stumps, Duminy mistimes the drive back to the bowler

25.5 N McCullum to de Villiers, 1 run, shouts of caaaaatch, but AB is safe, tossed up, spins into de Villiers, he drives at it a bit too early, the ball lobs in the air, but it is wide of Guptill at short mid wicket, rolls to long on, well bowled by Nathan

25.4 N McCullum to Duminy, 1 run, tossed up, but on the pads of JPD, he neatly works it to square leg

25.3 N McCullum to Duminy, no run, flatter on middle and off, Duminy pushes it to mid off

25.2 N McCullum to de Villiers, 1 run, tossed up and very full outside off, de Villiers gets forward, almost reaches out for it, drives it to sweeper cover

25.1 N McCullum to de Villiers, no run, starts from round the wicket, bowls a flatter delivery outside off, de Villiers pushes it back to the bowler

Nathan McCullum [3.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack

24.6 Southee to Duminy, no run, full delivery, straight on middle, Duminy whips it to short mid wicket, but finds the fielder

24.5 Southee to Duminy, no run, goes over the wicket to the left hander, angles a full delivery across outside off, Duminy gets forward and drives it to mid off

24.4 Southee to de Villiers, 1 run, Southee bowls from wider of the crease, angles a full delivery on the middle and leg stump, AB eases the drive to mid on

24.3 Southee to de Villiers, no run, fuller length on middle, de Villiers drives it to mid on

24.2 Southee to Duminy, 1 run, Southee switches to round the wicket, angles a length delivery into the pads of Duminy, he clips it to mid wicket where Vettori awkwardly stops it, he plays a bit of soccer in the process as he stops it with his foot

Jean-Paul Duminy, left handed bat, comes to the crease

24.1 Southee to Kallis, out Caught by Oram!! What a catch by Oram! This could be the turning point in the match! Southee stays over the wicket, bangs it short outside off, Kallis goes on the backfoot, pulls it to deep mid wicket, he had timed that well and would have thought that it was going all the way, but Big Jake Jacob Oram, all 6 feet 6 inches, uses his height perfectly, he runs to his left, leaps and takes a stunning catch with both hands, NZ are absolutely thrilled and the South African Wall departs. Kallis c Oram b Southee 47(75) [4s-3]

Southee to Kallis, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

23.6 Vettori to Kallis, 1 run, flighted delivery, given some loop and drift on the off stump, driven easily to long off

23.5 Vettori to Kallis, no run, quicker just outside off, Kallis plays it late, dabs it to KW at backward point

23.4 Vettori to de Villiers, 1 run, tossed up just outside off, de Villiers drives it to cover, but once again, Guptill, dives to his left and stops it from going further, nothing is getting past this man today

23.3 Vettori to de Villiers, 2 runs, lands it just short outside off, de Villiers goes back, cuts it past KW who dives to his right, the ball rolls to third man for a couple

23.2 Vettori to Kallis, leg byes, 1 run, very close call for Kallis, looped up, bowled slower on leg stump, Kallis looks to sweep, misses it and gets hit on the pads, rolls to the on side, de Villiers sets off for a quick single, Kallis is a bit slow in starting off, the fielder fires in the throw at the bowler's end and misses, Kallis makes it

23.1 Vettori to Kallis, no run, quicker delivery pushed through on middle, Kallis drives it back to the bowler

22.6 Southee to de Villiers, no run, short of a good length on the stumps, tails in towards middle, de Villiers pushes it to short cover

22.5 Southee to Kallis, 1 run, length delivery, curves back into Kallis, he tries to force it through the off side, gets an inside edge that rolls to mid on, Vettori fires in the throw and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end, the third umpire is called into play, replays show that Kallis had just made it

22.4 Southee to de Villiers, 1 run, back of a length on middle and off, de Villiers hangs back, dabs it square on the off side

22.3 Southee to de Villiers, no run, short of a good length, curls back into de Villiers, he defends it back to the bowler

22.2 Southee to de Villiers, FOUR!!, elegance from AB, back of a length, cuts back into de Villiers, he gets forward and eases into the shot, opens the face of the bat and caresses it into the gap at deep extra cover

22.1 Southee to de Villiers, no run, the keeper is standing upto Southee, he lands a short of length delivery just outside off, de Villiers punches it to cover point, but Guptill tumbles to his left and stops it, he is a livewire in the field

Tim Southee [4.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack

21.6 Vettori to Kallis, no run, tossed up just outside off, Kallis looks to guide it to third man, the ball kicks up a bit, rolls behind point, good over from Vettori

21.5 Vettori to Kallis, no run, quicker and fuller outside off, Kallis goes for the big booming cover drive, but he misses and Baz fumbles

21.4 Vettori to Kallis, 2 runs, gorgeous shot but minimum result, tossed up, given a bit more drift on the stumps, Kallis comes down the track, gets to the pitch, lofts it high wayyy over long on, at first glance, it seemed that it would go all the way, but apparently he did not time it well, lands just in front of the ropes at long on, Nathan McCullum cleans up and they take a couple

21.3 Vettori to de Villiers, 1 run, full, quick delivery on middle, almost a yorker length delivery, de Villiers drills it to long off

21.2 Vettori to Kallis, 1 run, flighted delivery on the off stump, driven to long off

21.1 Vettori to Kallis, no run, Kallis shimmied down the track slightly, but Vettori spots it and fires in a quicker delivery slightly wide outside off, Kallis adjusts and dabs it to short cover

20.6 Oram to Kallis, 1 run, short of length delivery outside off, Kallis angles the bat and guides it down with an open face to third man

20.5 Oram to de Villiers, 1 run, fraction short on the middle and leg, de Villiers short arm pulls it to deep square leg

20.4 Oram to de Villiers, no run, punched again, sweetly, but to Guptill at cover point

20.3 Oram to de Villiers, no run, good length delivery on the middle and leg line, de Villiers defends with the bat in front of the pad

20.2 Oram to de Villiers, FOUR!!, Apart from that magnificent shot, it must be mentioned that Guptill is something else on the field, ran hard, almost pulled it back with a full length dive forward, de Villiers went forward and sweetly punched it wide of Guptill, Dan appreciates the effort by clapping

20.1 Oram to de Villiers, no run, good length delivery on off stump, de Villiers gets right behind the line and defends

19.5 Vettori to de Villiers, 2 runs, eased with an open face off the backfoot, a fuller length dive from de Villiers takes him home, any other man and he was gone, a good throw as Baz was in front of the stumps to collect, he took his time to turn around and then whip the bails off, that was enough for de Villiers to make it back, what an athlete this fella is

19.4 Vettori to Kallis, 1 run, Kallis takes a few steps down the wicket and softly turns it to short fine, de Villiers is quick and they make it with ease

19.3 Vettori to Kallis, no run, worked towards short mid, straight to the fielder

19.2 Vettori to de Villiers, 1 run, Ohhhhhhh shouted Baz as the ball went in the air, de Villiers chipped it in the air, well past short cover, the ball dipped on de Villiers and he ended up arresting his forcing shot off the backfoot

19.1 Vettori to Kallis, 1 run, pushed wide of cover

Daniel Vettori [4.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack

18.6 Oram to de Villiers, no run, low full toss, Oram went for the attempted yorker, de Villiers could not pierce the gap again, stroked to the man at mid off, pressure is building on the Proteas

18.5 Oram to de Villiers, no run, pushed to mid on with a full face of the bat

18.4 Oram to de Villiers, no run, it was 4 written all the way, but there is a man - called Guptill at cover point, he is sprawling, sliding, diving and doing everything he could to stop the ball, this time a full length dive to his right saves the boundary, the only loose delivery that was cracked well by de Villiers did not get a boundary

18.3 Oram to de Villiers, no run, square driven to a wide and full delivery, straight to the fielder at backward point

18.2 Oram to de Villiers, no run, swung back sharply in the air, pitched on off and middle and slanted back in towards de Villiers, who tried to punch it forcefully, the thick inner edge took the back pad, lots of oohs and aahs from the Kiwis

18.1 Oram to de Villiers, no run, short of length delivery on off stump, de Villiers pats it fron the crease towards backward point

17.6 Woodcock to Kallis, no run, on the pads, sliding down, Kallis cannot connect on the sweep, was going down

17.5 Woodcock to Kallis, no run, turns it with the spin to mid wicket

17.4 Woodcock to de Villiers, 1 run, length ball on middle, de Villiers goes on the backfoot and tucks it through square leg for a single

17.3 Woodcock to Kallis, 1 run, eased down to mid on for another single

17.2 Woodcock to de Villiers, 1 run, pushed to mid off

17.1 Woodcock to de Villiers, FOUR!!, juicy full toss and though de Villiers has just had a drink, he won't miss out, takes it on the full and thumps it past mid on, had to get it past the man and he did that with ease, flicked away in style, good start after the drinks break

Time for Drinks. It's an even game at the moment. Both sides have not given an inch to each other so far. After Smith's wicket, the Kiwis have tightened things further. South Africa's best batters are at the crease and they need to put a substantial partnership from them to take their side home. To tell you more it will be our in-house stats man - Pradeep - who does a lot of work, but does not get the credit he deserves, who will tell you more. Time for me (Srivathsa) to take a break.

16.6 Oram to Kallis, no run, the Kiwis are bowling well, Oram very well in fact, good length delivery on off, Kallis stands tall and punches it on the up, but straight to the fielder at mid off

16.5 Oram to Kallis, no run, pushed with an open face down to backward point

16.4 Oram to Kallis, no run, again a good shot for no run, square driven straight to the fielder at cover point, Kallis looks at the toe end of his bat after he played that

16.3 Oram to Kallis, 2 runs, swung back in towards the pads, the late swing from Oram forced the ball take the inside edge of Kallis' attempted flick, went wide of deep square, easy couple

16.2 Oram to Kallis, no run, full and Kallis unveils a lovely drive, cannot get it past cover

16.1 Oram to Kallis, no run, back of a length delivery on off, Kallis defends from the crease

15.6 Woodcock to de Villiers, no run, this one drifted in, de Villiers pushed forward to defend and the ball took the thick inner half of the bat before rolling down to leg

15.5 Woodcock to Kallis, 1 run, this time Gups does even better, but placed wide of him at cover, he goes to his left and then flies in the air to stop it clean, sends in the back-handed flick, but both the batters take the single easily

15.3 Woodcock to Kallis, no run, Guptill is one of the best in the world and suddenly the Kiwis are flying, he moves to his left and cuts off the single at cover

15.2 Woodcock to de Villiers, 1 run, drifting into the pads, de Villiers taps it softly down to short leg to get off the mark

15.1 Woodcock to Kallis, 1 run, a slip and a leg slip in place as NZ go on the attack, Kallis closes the face of the bat and gets it wide of the leg slip fielder

14.6 Oram to de Villiers, no run, another tight ball to end a fabulous wicket taking over from Oram, de Villiers defends from the crease

14.5 Oram to de Villiers, no run, Oram is bowling well, landing it on or around off and middle, de Villiers is right in behind it

14.4 Oram to de Villiers, no run, lovely square drive, but finds cover point, straight to the fielder

14.3 Oram to de Villiers, no run, good length delivery and swinging back in, de Villiers covers his off stump and defends

AB de Villiers, right handed bat, comes to the crease

14.2 Oram to Smith, out Caught by (sub)How!! Lazy shot and Smith knows it. Big Jake has struck. Full ball outside off, it was there for the square drive, Smith tried to muscle it without transferring his weight forward, in the end, Smith sliced it to backward point, a smart catch taken by How - who is subbing for Vettori I guess. NZ are back into this. Enter AB - the man in form for his side.Smith c (sub)How b Oram 28(34) [4s-2]

Oram to Smith, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

14.1 Oram to Kallis, 1 run, Oram has changed ends, easily tapped down to third man to a ball outside off

Jacob Oram [2.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack

13.6 Woodcock to Kallis, 1 run, pushed with an open face wide of point, end of Woodcock's first over

13.5 Woodcock to Kallis, no run, slides down leg and catches Kallis on the pad

13.4 Woodcock to Kallis, no run, Jeepers! That is some ball, turns right across Kallis who exaggerates the good ball by yanking his head back and taking the bottom hand out of the way, it landed on off and spun a mile past the forward push of Kallis, Baz too didn't collect cleanly, superb delivery from Woodcock

13.3 Woodcock to Kallis, 2 runs, on the middle and leg stump line, Kallis glances it down to fine leg for a couple

13.2 Woodcock to Smith, 1 run, goes on the backfoot and tucks it off the pads

13.1 Woodcock to Smith, FOUR!!, the pressure shows on Woodcock straightaway, he lets out a nervous gasp of air out after that half volley outside off was put away by Smith, Smith got forward and then thumped it wide of the off side field, ran away

Luke Woodcock, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

Woodcock - his first game in his World Cup career comes on from round the wicket to Smith. A slip in place.

12.6 Southee to Kallis, no run, this time the stumps at Southee's end prevents any runs being taken, another full faced straightdrive from Kallis, it was in the air and well wide of Southee, not well timed too

12.5 Southee to Kallis, no run, swing in the air for Southee, curving back in towards Kallis on off stump, Kallis punches it to the cover fielder

12.4 Southee to Smith, 1 run, Smith stays beside the line of that ball, it was outside off and he dabbed it down to third man

12.3 Southee to Smith, no run, from round the wicket comes Southee, lands it on off and forces Smith to go back and defend

12.1 Southee to Kallis, no run, fullish on off stump, Kallis gets forward and drives with no fuss to the covers, straight to the fielder

11.6 Oram to Kallis, 1 run, lovely straightdrive, just missing the stumps at the bowlers end, mid off slides and keeps it down to a single.

11.5 Oram to Kallis, no run, lands on off and keeps a bit low, Kallis crouches low and defends, the ball lands near his feet and goes back to Oram

11.4 Oram to Smith, 1 run, driven past Oram, to his left and a slide to the right from mid on saves some runs

11.3 Oram to Kallis, 1 run, slips on the middle and leg stump line, Kallis closes the face on that at the last moment to get it down to fine leg

Baz is now standing up to Oram

11.2 Oram to Kallis, no run, good length delivery outside off, left alone

11.1 Oram to Smith, 1 run, Oram is getting some swing in the air, Smith too is making a point to himself, by gesturing with his hand, that Oram is getting it to move in to him, Smith edges the glance down to short fine

10.6 Southee to Kallis, no run, Southee has a stare at Kallis after that ball swung in and hit Kallis low on the bat, Kallis came on the front-foot to defend and edged it onto the back pad

10.5 Southee to Kallis, no run, sharp bouncer, Kallis thought about the pull, then left it alone, it was good enough not to be called a wide for height, just below the head of Kallis

10.4 Southee to Smith, 1 run, full delivery on off and middle, Smith tries to muscle the on drive, hit with no timing down to mid on

10.3 Southee to Kallis, 1 run, this one lands on off and seams back in sharply, after having swung in the air a tad, Kallis though is good enough and works it down to fine leg

10.2 Southee to Smith, 1 run, there comes the front-foot pull from Smith, trade-mark Smith shot, standing tall and not transferring his weight back, just swivelling on the front-foot before pulling it to deep square leg

10.1 Southee to Kallis, 1 run, Bowling PP taken as Southee comes in, too straight from Southee, Kallis gets slightly inside the line to tuck it away through square leg

9.6 Oram to Smith, FOUR!!, all the good work in that over has been undone by a poor delivery from Oram, full and wide outside off, just the width that Smith needed to cream it through cover, Smith needed no second invitation and square drive with elan, grace and class, the 50 is up for the Proteas

9.5 Oram to Smith, no run, Oram comes round the wicket and cramps Smith further, short of length delivery and with the angle coming in all the time, Smith pushes it back to Oram

9.4 Oram to Smith, no run, Smith cannot get it away in the gap, chopped away to the backward point man

9.3 Oram to Smith, no run, the cutter on the middle and leg stump line, Smith pushes it to mid on and is cross with himself for not putting it away

9.2 Oram to Kallis, 1 run, drop and run, Kallis angled the bat close to his body and saw Smith responding, both make it easily in the end

9.1 Oram to Smith, 1 run, Big Jake is on now, fuller length delivery on off and middle, Smith gets forward and drives it to mid off, an easy single is taken as the man is too deep

Jacob Oram, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

8.6 Southee to Kallis, no run, short of length and angling in to off and middle, Kallis stands tall and blocks

8.5 Southee to Kallis, FOUR!!, What a player this fella has been for SA. Like SRT for India, this man is their best player without a shadow of doubt. And has been for years and years. Southee should know that, he makes the cardinal sin of bowling on the pads, it is so easy for a player of Kallis' class, gets back and whips it with a turn of the wrists, it scooted away to the fence

8.4 Southee to Smith, 1 run, angled bat dab/steer down to third man

8.3 Southee to Kallis, 1 run, Oh! The camera panned to the supporters in the stands - a mix of Kiwis and South Africans, their respective reactions said it all, a top edged pull as the bouncer hurried onto Kallis' bat, it landed well in front of fine leg, as the ball was in the air, Kallis would've felt he had holed out, but thankfully for him, it did not carry to the fielder

8.2 Southee to Smith, 1 run, chopped wide of backward point

8.1 Southee to Kallis, 1 run, well bowled Southee. Curving in towards off and middle, lovely seam presentation from him too, the ball curved in and hit the bottom part of the bat as Kallis looked to on drivem, the bat face shut on impact, wide to the left of mid on

7.6 Vettori to Smith, 2 runs, comprehensively beaten was Smith as he came down the wicket, the ball was angled across him, he was not to the pitch of it and reached out to edge it wide of short third, Woodcock was the man running after it, pulls it back

7.5 Vettori to Kallis, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Kallis gets forward and drives to long off

7.4 Vettori to Kallis, no run, Kallis square drives with an open face to backward point

7.3 Vettori to Kallis, no run, Kallis came forward to drive, the bat face closed as the ball came slower than he expected, mistimed back to Vettori

7.2 Vettori to Kallis, no run, again dragged down short by Vettori, Kallis goes on the backfoot and punches it down to cover

7.1 Vettori to Kallis, no run, quick and flat delivery outside off, Kallis sees it early and lets it go

6.6 Southee to Kallis, 1 run, short of length delivery on the hips, Kallis gets inside the line to glance it down to fine leg

6.5 Southee to Kallis, FOUR!!, everything right about that shot, forces a grimace from Southee, Kallis went back, used the depth of the crease and then turned the wrists on that at the last moment to get it wide of square leg, a gentle work off the wrists and the ball sped away at the rate of knots, superb footwork from Kallis to take that from middle and put it away

6.4 Southee to Kallis, no run, again, beautiful bowling action from Southee, running in and hitting the bat hard, Kallis shows us his defensive technique and blocks

6.3 Southee to Kallis, no run, good bowling, back of a length and on off stump, hurries off the deck and Kallis is back and across, before defending it

6.2 Southee to Smith, 1 run, Smith stands tall and whips it to the right of short fine for a single

6.1 Southee to Smith, no run, good shot for no run, punched on the up, but straight to the fielder at cover

Tim Southee, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

5.6 Vettori to Kallis, no run, close to the off stump as Kallis shoulders arms, good bowling from Vettori

5.5 Vettori to Kallis, no run, huge shout for LBW, NZ thought about the review, didn't take it as Kallis was way down the wicket, tried to repeat the shot he played off the previous ball, this time the ball drifted in and caught Kallis on the back pad, Kallis missed the heave, if NZ had gone for the review, it might have been interesting for Kallis was more than 2.5 metres down the wicket and it would have been left to the Ump to make the call, replays showed that it was clipping outside of leg, so Kallis would've survived

5.4 Vettori to Kallis, FOUR!!, that's the class of the man, block, block and then smash. Comes down the track and launches it over mid off, got to the pitch and smashed it wide of the man too, clean strike from the big man

5.3 Vettori to Kallis, 2 runs, Kallis closes the face of the bat and glances it wide of leg slip, two was the call and two it is

5.2 Vettori to Smith, 1 run, flicked through square leg

5.1 Vettori to Smith, no run, flat delivery on off and middle, Smith pushes it to short mid wicket, straight to the fielder

4.6 N McCullum to Kallis, no run, once again N McCullum is giving nothing away and forces Kallis to defend from his crease

4.5 N McCullum to Kallis, no run, floated on the middle and leg stump line, Kallis turns it to short leg

4.4 N McCullum to Kallis, no run, great decision from Aleem Dar - the umpire of the year, both the brothers went up for a caught behind decision down leg, but it only took the pad, NZ knew it and don't review it as well

4.3 N McCullum to Smith, 1 run, gently patted past short leg

4.2 N McCullum to Smith, no run, good stop by Ross at mid wicket, moves to his left, slides and stops that flick

3.1 Vettori to Kallis, no run, lots of air from Vettori, bowling from round the wicket to Kallis, a leg slip in place apart from the lone slip, it dips on Kallis who pushes it back to Vettori

2.6 N McCullum to Smith, no run, flat delivery and skidding on, Smith pushes it back to N McCullum

2.5 N McCullum to Smith, no run, full ball on the stumps, Smith gets forward and drives it to mid on, bottom hand coming into play that time

2.4 N McCullum to Kallis, 1 run, wristed off the pads, down to deep square

2.3 N McCullum to Smith, 1 run, and again flicked through square leg

2.2 N McCullum to Smith, 2 runs, superb effort from Guptill at deep square leg, it was flicked through square leg and he put in a good dive to save a couple of runs for his side

2.1 N McCullum to Kallis, 1 run, Kallis gets forward and flicks it past a diving short mid, is off the mark

1.6 Vettori to Smith, no run, and again, Vettori is bowling from round the wicket to Smith

1.5 Vettori to Smith, no run, leans forward to defend

1.4 Vettori to Smith, 2 runs, worked through square leg and Smith has to hare back to make it for the 2nd, which he did, a direct hit, but Smith was just in

1.3 Vettori to Smith, no run, slides down leg and catches the pad, was going down

1.2 Vettori to Smith, no run, tucked on the on side

1.1 Vettori to Smith, no run, gets forward and defends it

Daniel Vettori, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

Jacques Kallis, right handed bat, comes to the crease

0.6 N McCullum to Amla, out Caught by Vettori!! Bizzaro! One of the most lucky wickets to get as a bowler, and Amla will feel what crime he has committed to get out like that. It was short, wide outside off, kept a bit low, Amla bottom edged the cut, it hit Baz's right boot, and went to slip, normally it would go down into the ground, this time straight to the boot and then to Dan at slip. Amla was walking off. He knew that he was gone. The third ump confirmed that. What a freaky wicket for NZ. Amla c Vettori b N McCullum 7(5) [4s-1]

N McCullum to Amla, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Drama: Amla looks to be gone. The Kiwis are confident as they go up for a catch at slip. N McCullum and his brother are jumping up and down. It has gone upstairs and Amla who was already walking off, will go back to the hut.

0.5 N McCullum to Smith, 1 run, N McCullum holds his hands on his head after Smith flicks one through square leg, he is off the mark, Smith closed the face on that

0.4 N McCullum to Amla, 1 run, punched through square leg for a single

0.3 N McCullum to Amla, FOUR!!, wonderful shot, that is, the Amla square drive, leaning out and caressing it into the gap, the ball purred across the turf, if there is even a slight amount of width given to Amla, he will make you pay, good start from SA

0.2 N McCullum to Amla, 2 runs, full and angled across Amla who gets forward and drives it wide of cover for a couple of runs, is off the mark

0.1 N McCullum to Amla, no run, flat delivery from round the wicket and Amla punches it off the backfoot to the off side

Amla and Smith are at the crease. Amla is on strike. N McCullum will open the attack

The Kiwis have put up a score on the board and in a pressure game, that's a vital thing. Though, the score is not a big one, it will take some getting from this talented South African batting line-up to get there. Remember that both sides have not won a knock-out game in the World Cups. Nathan McCullum will open the bowling. Amla is on strike. Smith is at the non-strikers end. A slip in place for the elder McCullum.

Taylor: It skidded on quite nicely, we got 220 on the board, hope that is enough. We have got the runs on the board, hopefully we can contain them. If we can get a couple of early wickets and put them under pressure, then it might be enough. We might open with a spinner as South Africa did today.

In spite of losing the toss, Smith would be a happy man looking at how things have gone for him and his bowlers today. His captaincy was right up to the mark, he was innovative and he also kept the right men in the right areas. Peterson opened the bowling again and removed the dangerous McCullum, and Guptill didn't last any longer. The big man - Jesse Ryder - entertained the crowd with his scintillating backfoot punchy drives through the off side. Ross Taylor gave him good company but threw his wicket away trying to step the pedal on the accelerator. Once Ryder left, there was not much spice in the batting order to lift the scoring. Tahir impressed again with his variations in the middle overs. A moderate total of 221 is what the Kiwis have achieved in the end. Will the South Africans chase it down easily? Remember, they are known to choke under pressure. Do join us for the remainder of the game at 6:15 PM IST.

49.6 Steyn to Woodcock, 1 run, good ball to end the innings! A straight yorker which the batsman dug out to mid wicket, 222 is the target for SA - will they make it?

49.6 Steyn to Williamson, 2 wides, good little battle this, Williamson goes outside off this time and Steyn fires it in down the leg, they go for a run as the ball goes to the keeper, its a wide too!

49.5 Steyn to Williamson, no run, Steyn is too clever for Williamson! He looks to make room once again, went too far down the leg and failed to connect as Steyn fired a fast yorker outside off

49.4 Steyn to Williamson, FOUR!!, excellent shot from the small man! It was short and slow, Williamson made room and lofted it over extra cover, the ball beats 2 fielders who give the chase and goes to the fence - useful runs these

49.3 Steyn to Williamson, 2 runs, good shot but the fielder is equally good, full and straight, Williamson shuffles and lofts it over mid wicket, Duminy runs in from long on and cuts it

49.2 Steyn to Williamson, no run, the slow bouncer on the off, Williamson ducks and looks to pull at the last minute, misses it

49.1 Steyn to Woodcock, 1 run, length delivery pushed straight to point, they had to get Williamson on strike so went for a quick single, the fielder misses the shy at the bowler's end

48.6 Morne Morkel to Woodcock, 1 run, full and on the middle and leg, Woodcock pushes it to long on, Williamson wanted another run but was rightly sent back by Woodcock

Luke Woodcock, left handed bat, comes to the crease

48.5 Morne Morkel to Vettori, out Bowled!! Good ball that! A slower one right in the blockhole, Vettori once again shuffles but gets deceived by the change of pace, looks to block it in the last minute but was too late! Will NZ play their quota of 50 overs??Vettori b Morne Morkel 6(4) [4s-1]

Morne Morkel to Vettori, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

48.4 Morne Morkel to Vettori, 2 runs, full and on the off, Vettori once again goes down the leg and drives it past mid off, they take a couple

48.3 Morne Morkel to Vettori, no run, short and on the stumps, Vettori looks to give himself some room but only manages a mishit to cover

48.2 Morne Morkel to Vettori, FOUR!!, wow, what a shot first up! Full and on the middle and leg, Vettori shuffled across and flicks it past the vacant deep backward square leg fence, really good looking shot that!

Daniel Vettori, left handed bat, comes to the crease

48.1 Morne Morkel to Oram, out Bowled!! You won't get to 230 if you play like that! Full and straight from Morne Morkel, Oram cleared his leg and had a wild swing which he missed, the ball crashes on to the off stump. The big man is gone! Oram b Morne Morkel 7(6) [4s-1]

Morne Morkel to Oram, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Morne Morkel [7.0-0-39-1] is back into the attack

Right. 2 overs left. Last PP over coming up. How much can NZ get? Around 230 would be decent on this track against a SA team that has a history of choking under pressure.. Lets see..

47.6 Steyn to Oram, leg byes, 1 run, Oram makes room, Steyn follows him with a fullish delivery, the ball goes off the pads wide of the keeper as they take a single

47.5 Steyn to Williamson, 1 run, good cricket this, a yorker dug out to cover, they look for a quick single but the fielder was very sharp, has a shy at the bowler's end and misses, Williamson had given up and would've been gone had it hit

47.4 Steyn to Williamson, 2 runs, full and straight, Williamson mishits a drive to long on, superb running gives converts 1 to 2

47.3 Steyn to Oram, 1 run, really good bowling this, a yorker outside off, Oram looks to dig it out, the ball goes to the right of the keeper and they steal a run, 200 up with that

47.2 Steyn to Williamson, 1 run, Williamson looks to make room, Steyn bowls a slower one outside off, Williamson cuts it straight to point

47.1 Steyn to Williamson, 2 runs, length delivery on the middle and leg, Williamson flicks it wide of long on, takes an easy couple

46.6 Tahir to Oram, 2 runs, full toss on the legs, Oram dances down the track and drives it hard to long on, Botha dives and saves a couple - superb effort by him

46.5 Tahir to Oram, FOUR!!, weird field for the leg spinner - no deep square leg and Oram makes max use of it! Flat and turning in to Oram who sweeps it past square leg for a boundary, that was struck hard

46.4 Tahir to Oram, no run, the googly on the off, Oram pushes it to point

Batting Powerplay and Jacob Oram - if he gets it right, SA may well have a tough time here.

46.3 Tahir to Williamson, 1 run, tossed up outside off, Williamson gets the single this time with a drive to long off

46.2 Tahir to Williamson, no run, given air on the off, Williamson pats it back to the bowler

46.1 Tahir to Williamson, no run, well bowled and well fielded, flat and straight, Williamson pushes it to the right of Tahir who dives and saves a run

Imran Tahir [8.0-0-25-2] is back into the attack

45.6 Steyn to Williamson, 1 run, a yorker outside off, Williamson squeezes it out to cover, retains strike with a single

45.4 Steyn to Williamson, no run, once again the batsman looks to go outside leg stump, Steyn follows him with a short one, Williamson misses the upper cut and gets beaten

Jacob Oram, left handed bat, comes to the crease

45.3 Steyn to N McCullum, out Caught by Duminy!! The batting powerplay strikes! It was a short of a length delivery on the off, N McCullum once again looked to make room and swing over the off side, gets a top edge that spoons straight to point where Duminy takes a dolly. N McCullum c Duminy b Steyn 6(18)

Steyn to N McCullum, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

45.2 Steyn to N McCullum, no run, there comes the yorker, but slightly outside off, N McCullum was looking to make room, fails to stretch and connect it

45.1 Steyn to Williamson, 1 run, slower ball on the off, Williamson walks across and works it to mid wicket, he looks a really good batsman - should probably play a bit higher in the order

44.6 Peterson to Williamson, 1 run, inviting loopy delivery on the off, Williamson drives it to long off, good start to the batting powerplay this

44.5 Peterson to N McCullum, 1 run, floated around the middle, N McCullum drives it to long on

44.4 Peterson to N McCullum, byes, FOUR!!, unlucky for the bowler - thats missed everything! N McCullum was shuffling in his crease, Peterson bowled a flat delivery on the legs, the batsman looks has a wild swing and misses, ABD was confused by N McCullum's antics in the crease and misses it too, four runs through fine leg!

44.3 Peterson to Williamson, 1 run, good sensible stuff, another flighted delivery on the off, Williamson drives it to long off

44.2 Peterson to Williamson, SIX!!, Williamson is a small man but he has hit it a long way here! Loopy delivery on the off, Williamson comes to the pitch of the ball, swings it over long on for a maximum - neatly hit and that should put the pressure on the bowler

44.1 Peterson to Williamson, no run, nicely tossed up on the off, Williamson pushes it back to the bowler

Right. The big hits are going to come. Batting Powerplay taken!

43.6 Steyn to N McCullum, no run, slower ball to finish, N McCullum flicks it to mid wicket, another superb over in the death from the Proteas!

43.5 Steyn to N McCullum, no run, play and a miss! Short and outside off, N McCullum looks to upper cut it ala Sehwag, but the ball bounces more than he expected and beats him

43.4 Steyn to N McCullum, no run, this is good bowling - as you would expect from Steyn! The off cutter on the stumps, N McCullum defends it back to the bowler, where are the big hits??

43.3 Steyn to Williamson, 1 run, slightly shorter this time, Williamson stays back and works it to deep square leg

43.1 Steyn to Williamson, 1 run, full and on the legs, he flicks it off his pads past the diving mid wicket fielder for a run

42.6 Peterson to Williamson, 1 run, thats a good looking shot but will get just the single, flat and short outside off, Williamson goes back and punches it to sweeper cover, superb over from Peterson - just 2 runs from it

42.5 Peterson to Williamson, no run, loopy on the middle and leg, Williamson defends it back to the bowler

42.4 Peterson to N McCullum, 1 run, on the legs this time, he turns it to backward square leg, rotates strike

42.3 Peterson to N McCullum, no run, good stuff, flat and straight, N McCullum defends it to point

42.2 Peterson to N McCullum, no run, tossed up on the legs, N McCullum looks to defend, ends up lobbing it to the vacant short leg region

42.1 Peterson to N McCullum, no run, good start, in the blockhole, N McCullum can only dig it out

Robin Peterson [7.0-0-38-1] is back into the attack

41.6 Steyn to Williamson, no run, the off cutter on the off, Williamson looks to defend it with soft hands and take a quick run, but the fielder at cover was very sharp and cuts it off

41.5 Steyn to Williamson, no run, bangs it in short, Williamson ducks under it

41.4 Steyn to N McCullum, 1 run, fuller and on the off, N McCullum square drives it to point region for a run

41.3 Steyn to N McCullum, no run, length delivery on the middle and leg, N McCullum defends it

41.2 Steyn to N McCullum, no run, edge but does not carry!, a back of a length delivery on the off, N McCullum looks to punch it off his backfoot, gets an edge that falls short of the keeper

41.1 Steyn to N McCullum, no run, beautiful work from ABD and almost a run out! It was a length delivery on the off, gets a thick outside edge that rolls to the right of the keeper who dives and has a shy at the stumps immediately, N McCullum was looking for a single and would've been gone had it hit the stumps!

With that, I, Sid V, will hand over the comm duties to Karthik.

Dale Steyn is back into the attack.

40.6 Tahir to Williamson, no run, quicker on the stumps, Williamson watches it carefully and defends it to the off side

40.5 Tahir to N McCullum, 1 run, the wrong-un, skids a bit quicker on the off stump, N McCullum pushes forward, the ball squirts off the inside edge to square leg

40.4 Tahir to Williamson, 1 run, tossed up, given some air and very full on middle and off, driven to long off

40.2 Tahir to Williamson, 1 run, shouts of catch but KW is safe, low full toss on the stumps, Williamson check drives it past the bowler, rolls to long on

40.1 Tahir to Williamson, no run, tossed up on the stumps, Williamson drives it to mid off

39.6 Morne Morkel to Williamson, 3 runs, that is an even better shot, back of a length outside off again, Williamson again shuffles to the off stump, turns his wrists nicely, whips it powerfully to deep mid wicket

39.5 Morne Morkel to Williamson, 2 runs, short delivery outside off, Williamson shuffles to the off side, whips it to mid wicket for a couple

39.4 Morne Morkel to Williamson, no run, edged but safe, good length delivery in the zone outside off, again rolls his fingers over the seam, Williamson pokes at it, gets a thick outside edge, Smith at first slip is standing quite far and the ball falls in front of him

39.3 Morne Morkel to Williamson, 2 runs, short delivery and wide outside off, Williamson stands tall, hops and cracks it past cover for a couple, he bowled that with a scrambled seam and that is why KW did not time it well

39.2 Morne Morkel to Williamson, no run, back of a length and slanted into middle and leg, Williamson works it to the fielder at mid wicket

39.1 Morne Morkel to Williamson, no run, back of a length in the zone outside off, Williamson pushes it to cover point

38.6 Tahir to Williamson, 1 run, tossed up on the middle and leg stump, Williamson paddle sweeps it to fine leg

Nathan McCullum, right handed bat, comes to the crease

38.5 Tahir to Ryder, out Caught by (sub)Ingram!! This is a big wicket for the Proteas and they are right back into the game here! Tahir stays over the wicket, lands a loopy delivery full outside off, Ryder goes for the slog sweep, but he does not middle it well, only manages a top edge that sails to deep mid wicket, Ingram makes no mistake about it and Tahir is the man for SA. Ryder c (sub)Ingram b Tahir 83(121) [4s-8]

Tahir to Ryder, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

38.4 Tahir to Ryder, no run, quicker on the stumps, Ryder defends it back to the bowler

38.3 Tahir to Williamson, 1 run, the wrong-un from Tahir, but it spins low on the middle and leg stump, Williamson negotiates the low bounce, works it to backward square leg, thinks about a couple but Ryder is not interested

38.2 Tahir to Williamson, no run, flatter, straightens on middle, Williamson defends it

38.1 Tahir to Williamson, wide, the attempted leg break, but he spins it down the leg side, wide given

Imran Tahir [6.0-0-18-1] is back into the attack

37.6 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, back of a length on the middle and leg stump, hurries onto Ryder, he hops and tries to work it to square leg, but the ball thuds into his thigh guard and rolls to the ground, good over from Morne Morkel

37.5 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, short delivery just outside off, Ryder stays back and whips it to mid on

37.4 Morne Morkel to Williamson, 1 run, Morne Morkel is bowling a bit wider of the crease, he angles a full delivery but on the pads of Williamson, he clips it to deep square leg to get off the mark

37.3 Morne Morkel to Williamson, no run, back of a length, but is wide outside off, Williamson shoulders arms

Kane Williamson, right handed bat, comes to the crease

37.2 Morne Morkel to Styris, out Bowled!! That is a real poor shot from Styris! Morne Morkel bangs one short and slightly wide outside off, Styris makes room and looks to heave it to mid wicket, the ball takes the bottom edge and crashes onto the stumps, Styris has thrown it away here. Styris b Morne Morkel 16(17) [4s-3]

Morne Morkel to Styris, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

37.1 Morne Morkel to Styris, no run, back of a length on middle and off, Styris works it to mid wicket

36.6 Botha to Ryder, no run, looped up, bowled slower through the air on middle and off, Ryder waits and taps it to point

36.5 Botha to Styris, 1 run, quicker but on the pads, Styris works it to deep mid wicket

36.4 Botha to Styris, no run, flatter, slightly short outside off, Styris plays it late, chops it to backward point, but finds the fielder

36.3 Botha to Styris, no run, tossed up on the stumps, Styris defends it back to the bowler

36.2 Botha to Styris, FOUR!!, tossed up just outside off, Styris dances down the track, gets to the pitch, swings through the line and thumps it to long on, he is in a really positive frame of mind here

36.1 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, flatter on leg stump, Ryder makes room and drives it to long off

35.6 Morne Morkel to Styris, no run, short of length in the channel outside off, Styris stays back and chops it to cover point

35.5 Morne Morkel to Styris, no run, on a good length angled into the off stump, Styris gets forward and drives it to mid on

35.4 Morne Morkel to Styris, FOUR!!, Styris is looking good out there, short delivery outside off, the attempted off-cutter from Morne, Styris swivels, gets on top of the bounce and pulls, the ball hits the bottom of the bat, but it still manages to reach the deep mid wicket fence

35.2 Morne Morkel to Styris, no run, back of a length angled into Styris, gets some extra bounce, the ball hits the splice of the bat as Styris defends awkwardly

35.1 Morne Morkel to Styris, FOUR!!, welcome back, Morne Morkel, length delivery just outside off, Styris punchily drives it on the up, manages to get it past mid on as the ball rolls to the long on fence, Morne Morkel continues to have problems

Morne Morkel [4.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack

34.6 Botha to Styris, 1 run, looped up outside off, goes straight on outside off, Styris pushes it to deep backward point to retain the strike

34.5 Botha to Styris, no run, tossed up outside off, Styris pushes it back to the bowler

34.4 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, flatter and again on the pads, Ryder works it to square leg

34.3 Botha to Ryder, no run, quicker delivery, darted into the pads of Ryder, he looks to work it to the leg side, gets an inside edge onto the pads and it rolls to the ground

34.2 Botha to Styris, 1 run, looped up and full on the off stump, Styris flicks it to long on

34.1 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, flighted delivery, given some air outside off, Ryder drives it to long off

Johan Botha [7.0-0-19-0] is back into the attack

The ball has been changed here. This is the mandatory ball change after 34 overs. Botha will start off now.

33.6 Peterson to Styris, no run, tossed up, straightens outside off, Styris goes back and punches it to short cover

33.5 Peterson to Ryder, 1 run, fuller in length on the stumps, Ryder whips it to long on

33.4 Peterson to Styris, 1 run, tossed up just outside off, spins away a bit, Styris punches it past du Plessis at mid off, he puts in the dive to his right but can't get there, rolls to long off

Here's Scotty, possibly playing his last ever World Cup match for the Kiwis. He has been a wonderful servant for the Kiwis. Can he play a blinder here?

33.3 Peterson to Ryder, 1 run, flighted delivery on middle and off, driven to long off

33.2 Peterson to Ryder, 2 runs, flatter, slightly short outside off, Ryder goes back and whips it to deep mid wicket for a couple

33.1 Peterson to Ryder, no run, tossed up on the off stump, Ryder gets forward and nudges it to mid wicket

Scott Styris, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Drinks are on the field now . What a time for Ross Taylor to go. The partnership was looking ominous and South Africa would have been worried. However, Tahir, as often as he has done in this tournament, has chipped in with the vital breakthrough. Can SA fightback here or will Ryder dent the Proteas?

32.6 Tahir to Taylor, out Caught by Kallis!! Taylor attempted one slog sweep too many and that has resulted in his dismissal! Tahir floats a loopy delivery just outside off, Taylor gets down on one knee and attempts his patent slog sweep, but he does not connect it well, gets a top edge that sails to deep square leg, Kallis settles underneath it and breaks this stand, Tahir is thrilled to bits. Taylor c Kallis b Tahir 43(72) [4s-1 6s-1]

Tahir to Taylor, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

32.5 Tahir to Taylor, no run, quicker delivery pushed through on the stumps, Taylor pushes it back to the bowler

32.4 Tahir to Taylor, no run, looped up, given some drift on middle and off, Taylor watches it and dabs it to the off side

32.2 Tahir to Ryder, no run, flatter, skids through low outside off, gives some width outside off, Ryder looks to cut it through cover, but the low bounce beats him and he misses

32.1 Tahir to Taylor, 1 run, he is looking to get aggressive here, tossed up on the middle and leg stump, Taylor again goes for the slog sweep, but he is a bit too close to the pitch, sweeps it to fine leg

31.6 Peterson to Ryder, no run, quicker one pushed through just outside off, Ryder taps it to the off side

31.5 Peterson to Ryder, no run, tossed up on leg stump, Ryder flicks it to mid wicket, the fielder throws himself to his right and stops it

31.4 Peterson to Ryder, 2 runs, tossed up just outside off, Ryder gets forward, chips it over deep extra cover, Morne Morkel runs and slides to his right at deep extra cover, takes a couple

31.3 Peterson to Taylor, 1 run, flatter, but short of length outside off, Taylor gets down on one knee, thumps the slog sweep to deep mid wicket, but there is protection there

31.2 Peterson to Taylor, SIX!!, that is the vintage Rossco slog sweep, tossed up just outside off, Taylor shuffles to the off side, covers the spin and slog sweeps it wayyy back into the stands at deep mid wicket

31.1 Peterson to Ryder, 1 run, flatter on the stumps, Ryder pushes it to long on

30.6 Tahir to Taylor, no run, the wrong-un from Tahir, lands it on a good length, spins into Taylor sharply, grips the surface and gets some extra bounce, Taylor backs away and dabs it to the off side, he was cramped up for room there

30.5 Tahir to Ryder, 1 run, tossed up, spins away a bit, but it is wide outside off, Ryder chases after it, flashes hard, the ball takes the outside edge but it lands safely at deep backward point, boy, do these bats have thick edges or what

30.4 Tahir to Taylor, 1 run, the quicker one, pushes it through just outside off, Taylor uses the pace and dabs it to backward point

30.3 Tahir to Taylor, no run, looped up on the stumps, Taylor blocks it back to the bowler

30.2 Tahir to Taylor, no run, tossed up, slowly spins away on middle, Taylor taps it to the ground

30.1 Tahir to Taylor, no run, ohh my, Rossco missed out on that, flighted delivery, straightens on leg stump, Taylor goes for the almighty slog sweep to mid wicket, he misses and the ball hits the pads

29.6 Peterson to Taylor, 1 run, full, flatter on middle, Taylor eases the drive to long on, this is now the 100 run partnership

29.5 Peterson to Taylor, no run, tossed up on the off stump, Taylor gets forward and defends it to the off side

29.3 Peterson to Taylor, 1 run, slow, tossed up delivery that he lands on a good length outside off, Taylor pushes it to long on

29.2 Peterson to Ryder, 1 run, flatter, but it back of a length on the stumps, gives Ryder ample time to stay back and punch it to long on

29.1 Peterson to Ryder, FOUR!!, Ryder is starting to tee off here, Peterson starts from round the wicket, bowls a tossed up delivery outside off, Ryder dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball, whacks it to long off, lands just in front of the ropes, brave batting indeed from Ryder

Robin Peterson [4.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack

28.6 Tahir to Taylor, 2 runs, flatter on the middle and leg stump, Taylor nurdles it into the gap at backward square leg, comfortable couple taken, both of these batsmen are doing it very easily here

28.5 Tahir to Ryder, 1 run, tossed up, too full just outside off, Ryder drives it to long off

28.4 Tahir to Ryder, no run, quicker, skids low to Ryder on middle and off, Ryder bunts it back to the bowler

28.3 Tahir to Ryder, no run, looped up, straightens a bit outside off, Ryder whips it to short mid wicket

28.2 Tahir to Taylor, 1 run, tossed up, but lands it on a good length on the middle and leg stump, Taylor goes back and works it to square leg

27.4 Steyn to Ryder, 2 runs, back of a length but on the pads of Ryder, he works it into the gap at backward square leg, Morne Morkel runs from third man and they take a couple

27.3 Steyn to Ryder, no run, back of a length on middle, Ryder covers the line, pushes it to mid on

27.2 Steyn to Ryder, no run, length delivery on the middle and leg stump, Ryder taps it to mid wicket

27.1 Steyn to Ryder, FOUR!!, that is an awesome way to ease the pressure, full and angled across outside off, Ryder creams it past Botha at mid off who dives to his right, races to the long off fence, Ryder goes past 1000 ODI runs

26.6 Duminy to Taylor, no run, quicker delivery, drags it a bit short outside off, Taylor plays it late and chops it down to short third man, Rossco thought about a single, but Ryder sends him back, Taylor has a surprising look on his face, he definitely thought that there was a single there

26.5 Duminy to Ryder, 1 run, loopy delivery, but gives Ryder width outside off, he stands on the crease and thumps it to sweeper cover

26.4 Duminy to Taylor, 1 run, tossed up on the middle and leg stump, Taylor gets forward and drives it to short cover

26.3 Duminy to Taylor, no run, flatter just outside off, Taylor gets forward and looks to defend, gets an outside edge that rolls to short third man

26.2 Duminy to Ryder, 1 run, full and flat on the middle and leg stump, Ryder tucks it to backward square leg

26.2 Duminy to Ryder, wide, looped up, but sprays it down the leg side, Ryder misses the heave to fine leg, wide given

26.1 Duminy to Taylor, 1 run, stays round the wicket for the right hander, bowls a flatter delivery on leg stump, Taylor nudges it to mid wicket

25.6 Steyn to Ryder, no run, good length on middle and off, Ryder does not move his feet, chops it back to the bowler

25.5 Steyn to Ryder, no run, fuller, bowled with a scrambled seam on middle, Ryder nudges it to short mid wicket, the fielder dives to his right and stops it

25.4 Steyn to Ryder, no run, fuller length, hones in straight on middle and leg, Ryder whips it to mid wicket

25.3 Steyn to Ryder, no run, angles a good length just outside off, Ryder pushes it to short cover

25.2 Steyn to Ryder, no run, back of a length on the pads, it hurries onto Ryder, he looks to whip it to the leg side, misses and the ball thuds into the pads, no shout for LBW as the ball was pitching outside the line of leg stump

25.1 Steyn to Taylor, 1 run, steams in from over the wicket, lands it back of a length that darts back off the seam into Taylor, he closes the face of the bat and works it behind square on the leg side

Dale Steyn [3.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack

24.6 Duminy to Ryder, no run, tossed up on the off stump, pushed to point

24.5 Duminy to Ryder, 2 runs, that is a good ball from JPD, flighted delivery on middle and off, given a bit more drift, Ryder makes room and was almost beaten by the flight, he ends up chipping it to deep extra cover, but it lands safely and they take a couple, nervous moment there for Ryder

24.4 Duminy to Taylor, 1 run, quicker, but on the pads, Taylor easily clips it to deep square leg

24.3 Duminy to Taylor, no run, fuller in length, given some air outside off, Taylor pushes it back to the bowler

24.2 Duminy to Taylor, no run, flatter and fuller just outside off, Taylor nudges it to short mid wicket, but finds du Plessis

24.1 Duminy to Ryder, 1 run, comes round the wicket, lands it on a good length but gives Ryder a little bit of width, he square cuts it to the off side

Jean-Paul Duminy, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

Smith is looking to build the pressure here. Both batsmen are struggling to find the gaps here.

23.6 Kallis to Ryder, leg byes, 1 run, length delivery on leg stump, Ryder looks to clip it to square leg, but he is unable to do so, the ball hits the front pad and it rolls to the on side

23.5 Kallis to Ryder, no run, good length and angling away from the left hander, Ryder drives it to point, but can't find the gap

23.4 Kallis to Ryder, no run, short of a good length on leg stump, Ryder works it to mid wicket, but finds the fielder

23.3 Kallis to Ryder, no run, the bouncer this time just outside off, Ryder was shaping up for the pull shot, but realizes it is a bit too high, he arches back and lets it go

23.2 Kallis to Ryder, no run, good length just outside off, Ryder punches it to mid off

23.1 Kallis to Ryder, no run, fuller on middle and leg, Ryder looks to work it to the leg side, but he closes the bat face a bit earlier, ends up toe-ending it along the ground back to the bowler

22.6 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, flatter on a good length, Ryder hangs back, punches it easily, the mid off fielder put in a dive to his left, but he cannot stop it and the ball rolls to long off

22.5 Botha to Taylor, 1 run, flatter just outside off, Taylor eases it to long on

22.4 Botha to Taylor, no run, quicker one, fires it on the middle and leg stump, Taylor had shuffled a bit to the off side, he manages to nudge it to square leg

22.3 Botha to Taylor, no run, gets one to curl back on the off stump, Taylor taps it back to the bowler

22.2 Botha to Taylor, no run, looped up, spins in a bit just outside off, Taylor nudges it to the leg side

22.1 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, tossed up just outside off, Ryder gets forward and drives it to long off

21.6 Kallis to Ryder, 1 run, close call for Ryder, again banged in short on the middle and leg stump, it hurries onto Ryder who goes for the pull, he is too early into the shot, the ball hits the gloves but lands safely at third man, the keeper was giving chase but he could not reach it

21.5 Kallis to Taylor, 1 run, short delivery outside off, Taylor hangs back, looks to get on top of the bounce, he rolls his wrists over the ball, mistimes it to mid wicket, that brings up his 3000th run in ODIs, he becomes the 12th NZ player to achieve this feat

21.4 Kallis to Ryder, 1 run, short of a good length on the middle and leg stump, Ryder dabs it to cover, gets to his 5th ODIFIFTY!!, his 1st in World Cups and 1st against South Africa, he has played a very important innings under the circumstances

21.3 Kallis to Taylor, 1 run, back of a length outside off, again bowled with a scrambled seam, Taylor looks to guide it to third man, takes an outside edge, Morne Morkel keeps it down to a single

21.2 Kallis to Taylor, no run, length delivery, curls in a bit outside off, Taylor gets forward and looks to defend, the ball takes the inside edge and it bounces over the stumps

21.1 Kallis to Taylor, no run, back of a length and angled into middle and leg, Taylor nudges it to short mid wicket

20.5 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, flatter, lands it on a good length, the ball stops on Ryder a bit, he still goes through with the shot, punches it past the bowler to long off

20.4 Botha to Ryder, no run, flighted delivery, given some loop outside off, Ryder gets forward and pushes it to short cover

20.3 Botha to Ryder, no run, tight line from Botha, gives Ryder no room outside off, Ryder angles the bat and taps it behind point

20.2 Botha to Ryder, no run, tossed up just outside off, Ryder stays on the crease and dabs it to point

20.1 Botha to Taylor, 1 run, looped up, bowled slower through the air, Taylor waits and taps it softly to point

19.6 Kallis to Taylor, 1 run, this time he finds the gap, short and a bit wider outside off, Taylor square cuts it past Duminy at point who dives to his right, rolls to sweeper cover

19.5 Kallis to Taylor, no run, length delivery bowled with a scrambled seam outside off, Taylor looks to force it through the off side, but can't get it past JP at point

19.4 Kallis to Taylor, no run, more effort on this ball though, bangs the bouncer and Taylor ducks

19.3 Kallis to Taylor, no run, short of length just outside off, not all that wide for the cut, he cuts it to backward point, Duminy leaps to his left and stops it

19.2 Kallis to Taylor, no run, the off-cutter from Kallis, lands it on a good length and cuts back into Taylor, he looks to tickle it to fine leg, the ball thuds into the pads and rolls to AB

19.1 Kallis to Ryder, 1 run, starts from over the wicket, slantsacross a back of a length delivery outside off, Ryder angles the bat and guides it to third man

Jacques Kallis, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

18.6 Botha to Taylor, no run, lands it on a good length and gets it to spin into Taylor again, he plays it late, guides it to short third man but finds the fielder

18.5 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, flatter, lands it back of a length outside off, Ryder stands back and punches it to cover point, du Plessis runs and dives to his right, stops it and fires in the throw, but they pinch a quick single

18.4 Botha to Taylor, 1 run, tossed up and spins back into Taylor, he covers the spin and works it to deep square leg

18.3 Botha to Taylor, FOUR!!, classic stuff from Rossco, overpitched just outside off, Taylor gets forward, gets to the pitch, caresses it past the fielder at extra cover for a gorgeous boundary

18.1 Botha to Taylor, no run, good spin generated by Botha, tossed up outside off, spins into Taylor, the ball grips the surface and bounces a bit more, Taylor pads it away

Johan Botha [4.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack

Thanks, Ajith. It has been a good fightback by Ryder and he has looked in good touch. The South Africans have been pro-active with their changes and they will be wanting to break this partnership.

Time for drinks and it is Sid V, who will take you through for the next hour or so.

17.6 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, Ryder punches it off the backfoot towards mid off

17.5 Morne Morkel to Ryder, FOUR!!, bad ball! down the leg, Ryder had to get a deft touch, he does so, goes wide of the keeper, races away to the fine leg boundary

17.4 Morne Morkel to Taylor, 1 run, angled in towards the pads of Taylor, he works it to backward square leg and they pinch a single

17.3 Morne Morkel to Ryder, 1 run, short ball that hurries onto him, pulled away to backward square leg, did well to keep the ball down

17.2 Morne Morkel to Ryder, 2 runs, you can't give width to this man, stands tall like a giant and reaches out to thump it with brutal force, but Smith has kept Amla at sweeper cover for a couple of runs

17.1 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, back of a length and around the off stump, it moved a tad in towards Ryder, he gets a thick inside edge onto the front pad, the ball rolls to the off side, he indicates to Taylor that the ball moved in

16.5 Tahir to Ryder, no run, Ryder gets forward and defends it with the full face

16.4 Tahir to Ryder, no run, given a bit of air, defended to the of fside

16.3 Tahir to Taylor, 1 run, Taylor tucks it off the backfoot straight to short mid wicket, the fielder has a shy at the stumps, the bowlers end that, gets a direct hit and the ball ricochets towards extra cover, single taken, absolutely unnecessary!

16.2 Tahir to Ryder, 1 run, Ryder pushes it down the wicket, the bowler can't stop it and they take a single

15.6 Morne Morkel to Ryder, 1 run, that's been worked away off the backfoot to fine leg for a single

15.5 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, short of a good length and angled across, Ryder taps it off the backfoot to the on side

15.4 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, back of a length and nice and straight on the leg stump, Ryder gets hit on the thigh guard as he misses the leg glance

15.3 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, short and Ryder stands tall, punches it to cover point

15.2 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, that one held a bit before coming on, Ryder closes the face, gets a leading edge down the wicket, looks like it was the slower one as well

15.1 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, back of a length and angled across, Ryder slaps it hard, wonderful stop at backward point, saved a certain boundary, it was fiercely cut by Ryder off the backfoot

Morne Morkel [2.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack

14.6 Tahir to Taylor, no run, edged but safe! Taylor closes the face of the bat early, gets a leading edge and it falls short of extra cover

14.5 Tahir to Taylor, no run, quicker one that, defended off the frontfoot by Taylor, played right under his chin

14.4 Tahir to Ryder, 1 run, fuller again, pushed off the frontfoot towards du Plessis at long off

14.3 Tahir to Ryder, no run, gives it a lot of air, ends up being a low full toss, driven down to mid off, does not take the single

14.2 Tahir to Taylor, 1 run, looks like these two have decided to just nudge away singles and then force Smith to change the field accordingly, flighted on off and middle, turned to deep square

14.1 Tahir to Taylor, 2 runs, not much turn but Tahir tossed it up nicely, worked away down to fine leg for a couple

13.6 Peterson to Taylor, 1 run, given a bit of air, pushed down to long on, he was walking forward as he played that shot, he does it quite often, that's his style of play, retains the strike with that run

13.5 Peterson to Ryder, 1 run, on the fuller side, Ryder whips it through square leg, there is Botha in the deep

13.3 Peterson to Taylor, 1 run, a slightly flatter one angled in, whipped off the backfoot through mid wicket

13.2 Peterson to Taylor, no run, Taylor uses his feet, gets down the wicket and works it to mid wicket

13.1 Peterson to Taylor, no run, drifting in towards Taylor, tapped to the on side by Taylor, it dribbles down to the right of the bowler

12.6 Tahir to Ryder, no run, a quicker one outside the off stump, Ryder gets forward and pushes at it, the ball beats the outside edge of the bat

12.5 Tahir to Taylor, 1 run, turned off the frontfoot, did well to move across, gets it down to fine leg

12.4 Tahir to Taylor, no run, turns across from outside leg, Taylor works it off his pads to square leg

12.3 Tahir to Ryder, 1 run, Ryder goes back and tucks it to mid wicket

12.2 Tahir to Ryder, no run, that's the googly! Ryder didn't pick it up, beaten! He got some good bounce as well

12.1 Tahir to Taylor, 1 run, fuller, it was tossed up, drilled straight down the wicket past Tahir for a single

Imran Tahir, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

Smith is rather pro-active today, shuffling his bowlers, giving them short spells and trying to unsettle the batsmen. Tahir is in now, he has been successful with his leg breaks.

11.6 Peterson to Ryder, FOUR!!, poor bowling from Peterson, the cover boundary is the shortest in this ground and he sends another short ball, swatted with a slant bat through extra cover, Amla ran behind the ball but no avail, he's quickly moved onto 33 and the Kiwis want him to continue and score big

11.5 Peterson to Ryder, no run, flatter one, pushed back to the bowler

11.4 Peterson to Ryder, FOUR!!, Is this the 'return to form' day for Ryder? Short and wide, he crunches it off the backfoot through point and cover, looking extremely dangerous off the backfoot today

11.3 Peterson to Taylor, 1 run, easily worked away off the frontfoot though mid wicket, Ross is doing it in singles

11.2 Peterson to Taylor, leg byes, 2 runs, skids on and it brushes the flap of the pad, goes down to fine leg, Taylor takes two

11.1 Peterson to Taylor, no run, fires it in first up, turned off his pads to square leg

Robin Peterson [2.0-0-3-1] is back into the attack

10.6 Botha to Ryder, no run, punchily driven off the backfoot to short extra cover

10.4 Botha to Taylor, 1 run, Botha is mixing it up, this one skids through, worked wide of square leg

10.3 Botha to Taylor, no run, slower through the air, Taylor turns it to the on side

10.2 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, Ryder goes back, it was trifle short, clipped to mid wicket for a single

10.1 Botha to Ryder, no run, flatter one outside off, Ryder smothers the spin and taps it to the off side

9.6 Morne Morkel to Ryder, 3 runs, Ryder swivels and pulls the short ball, doesn't get the timing right, Amla does a lot of running, comes from fine leg, puts in a desperate dive and keeps it down to three, the umpires went up to check it whether it was safe, looked clean in the replays

9.5 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, length ball, more like it, around the off and middle stumps, Ryder blocks it off the backfoot to the off side

9.4 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, another overpitched delivery outside the off stump, driven to mid off, well stopped, the bat speed is something to note when this man is playing, tremendous power he has

9.3 Morne Morkel to Ryder, FOUR!!, that's how Ryder plays! Full swing of the bat, slaps the wide half volley through point, it rocketed past Kallis' right ankle in a flash, into the point boundary in no time

9.2 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, Morne Morkel comes round the wicket, angles a short of a good length delivery in towards the pads of Ryder, he defends it to the man at short mid

9.1 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, short of a length and around the off stump, Ryder uses the depth of the crease and defends it to point

8.6 Botha to Taylor, no run, slightly short, close to Taylor, he cuts off the backfoot but can't get it past backward point

8.5 Botha to Taylor, no run, drifting in again, bowling it slower through the air, Botha. nicely tapped away to the leg side

8.4 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, a bit of air on that one, driven off the frontfoot to long off

8.4 Botha to Ryder, wide, fired in, but down the leg, de Villiers collects it and whips the bails off, Ryder's back foot was safely planted inside the crease

8.3 Botha to Ryder, no run, flatter, drifting in towards leg stump, Ryder taps it to the on side

8.2 Botha to Taylor, 1 run, a bit on the shorter side, Taylor goes back and whips it wide of mid on

8.1 Botha to Taylor, no run, nicely tossed up from Botha, pushed back down the wicket by Taylor off the backfoot

7.6 Morne Morkel to Ryder, 2 runs, that's short of length and it allows Ryder to go on the backfoot and punches it wide of mid off, slapped hard but looks like it came out of the toe of the bat, he will get two more to end the over

7.5 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, much closer to the off stump this time around, Ryder is content to defends it off the frontfoot

7.4 Morne Morkel to Ryder, FOUR!!, that's poor bowling, Jessy's not gonna miss out on those, overpitched outside off, it was creamed through point with utter disdain, there was no way the fielder at point would have stopped it

7.3 Morne Morkel to Ryder, no run, Morne Morkel switches to round the wicket and bangs it hard, back of a length and going down the leg, burshes Ryder's thigh pad and good work from AB behind the stumps, dives to his left to stop the ball

7.2 Morne Morkel to Taylor, 1 run, Taylor pushes forward, gets a thick outside edge, played with soft bottom hand and the ball rolls wide of the slip cordon to third man

7.1 Morne Morkel to Taylor, no run, Alright, time for the tall bloke, Morne Morkel. This one's angled in from over the wicket, Taylor gets forward and defends it to the left of the bowler

Morne Morkel, right-arm fast, comes into the attack

6.6 Botha to Ryder, no run, gives it a bit of flight, on the leg and middle, Ryder meets it with the full face of the bat

6.5 Botha to Ryder, no run, that's the change in pace that Botha is famous for, fires one in from round the wicket, Ryder gets a slight inside edge onto the pads that saves him, a huge cry from the keeper, he knows it was close

6.4 Botha to Ryder, no run, not much air, but it was bowled slower, Ryder stretches forward and smothers the spin

6.3 Botha to Taylor, 1 run, Taylor turns his bat slightly and works it wide of mid wicket

6.2 Botha to Taylor, no run, well tossed up, Botha pats it down the wicket

6.1 Botha to Taylor, no run, flatter one from Botha, off stumpish, Taylor gets forward and blocks it

5.6 Steyn to Guptill, out Caught by Botha!! Well, the silent little innings from Guptill ends! No idea what he was doing out there, it was slightly slower from Steyn, beautifully disguised, well outside the off stump as well, Guptill reached out for it with not much feet movement, the bottom hand came off the bat and the face of the bat was pointing up, ends up spooning a simple catch to mid off, the fielder had to just turn and move a couple of paces to his left, poor start this for NZ. Guptill c Botha b Steyn 1(14)

Steyn to Guptill, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

5.5 Steyn to Guptill, no run, wonderful shot, equally good fielding! It was a poor ball from Steyn, short and a bit of width on offer, it was punched hard off the backfoot, brutally hit, du Plessis at short cover times his jump perfectly, flies to his left with arms stretched upwards and stops it, that would have made Jonty Rhodes proud!

5.4 Steyn to Guptill, no run, back of a length and in the channel outside the off stump, Guptill slaps it off the backfoot to Steyn

5.3 Steyn to Guptill, no run, 2 slips in place for Guptill, Steyn pitches it up on the off stump, angled in, well defended with the full face of the bat

5.2 Steyn to Ryder, 1 run, no feet movement again, gets a thick outside edge has he flirts at one angling across and bouncing more, the ball lands in front of first slip and goes further away from him down to third man

5.1 Steyn to Ryder, no run, back of a length and angled across, there was some width on offer, Ryder flashes at it, meets thin air

4.6 Botha to Ryder, 1 run, drives it wide of Botha and the non-striker, gets a single down to mid off

4.5 Botha to Ryder, no run, Ryder pushes the fuller one down the wicket, Botha bends to collect

4.4 Botha to Ryder, no run, that did skid back on towards Ryder, he gets a thick inside edge towards the bottom of the bat, the ball goes onto hit his toe, it rolls to the off side

4.3 Botha to Ryder, no run, width outside the off stump, Ryder leans forward and steers it to point

4.2 Botha to Ryder, no run, well tossed up, Ryder leans forward and pushes it to the off side

4.1 Botha to Ryder, no run, comes from round the wicket and drits on in towards Ryder, defended off the inside half of the bat

Johan Botha, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

That's it. Just the two overs for Peterson. Smith says 'Thanks mate, you have done the job but now it's time for Botha'

3.6 Steyn to Guptill, no run, pitched otuside the off stump, gets a shape away from Guptill who shoulders arms

3.5 Steyn to Ryder, 3 runs, Ryder was waiting for the short ball, goes back and pulls it over mid on, did well to clear the infield but didn't time it one bit, looks like it came onto him much quicker than he thought it would, the man at mid on runs back and they get three

3.4 Steyn to Ryder, no run, this time a length delivery around the middle and leg, tucked straight to the fielder at short mid wicket

3.3 Steyn to Ryder, FOUR!!, lucky! that should not matter to Steyn, he got the ball to come back in from slightly outside the off stump, Ryder plays away from the body with minimum feet movement, gets a thickish inside edge and the ball misses the top of the off stump, races away to the fine leg boundary

3.3 Steyn to Ryder, wide, he's not getting his line and length right today, this one's going down the leg, easy decision

3.2 Steyn to Ryder, no run, pitched up and around the middle and leg, played back to Steyn

3.1 Steyn to Ryder, no run, that's poor bowling! Juicy full toss outside the off stump, Ryder punches it with an open face wide of Duminy at backward point, wonderful stop, they should have taken a single, which they don't.

2.6 Peterson to Ryder, 1 run, tossed up from Peterson, worked away to mid wicket

2.5 Peterson to Ryder, no run, drifting away from the left hander, he steers it to point

2.4 Peterson to Ryder, no run, Ryder looks happy to just get his eye in with some dot deliveries, gets forward and offers the full face

2.3 Peterson to Ryder, no run, a bit of air, fuller outside the off stump, Ryder smothers the spin

2.1 Peterson to Brendon McCullum, out Caught&Bowled!! That's spectacular! Awesome looking catch off his own bowling from Peterson. It is a repeat of how Bell got out to Peterson earlier this tournament, nicely tossed up, invited Brendon McCullum to come down the wicket, but the dance down the wicket forced McCullum to check his shot as he got too close to the pitch of the ball, ends up chipping it to the left of the bowler, not too close to him though, but a flying catch to his left marks the end of McCullum. The ball was going away from Peterson and he just threw himself in the air and went at it with both hands, splendid effort that. Brendon McCullum c and b Peterson 4(4)

Peterson to Brendon McCullum, THATS OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!

1.6 Steyn to Guptill, no run, length ball angled in towards Guptill, he gets forward and defends it to the off side, looking solid out there, Guptill.

1.5 Steyn to Guptill, no run, short of a good length and moving away, no bounce on that delivery, it stood low and Guptill watches it through to the keeper

1.4 Steyn to Guptill, no run, there's some movement, first signs though, nips away off the deck after landing it just in front of a length outside the off stump, Guptill lifts his bat and lets it go through to the keeper

1.3 Steyn to Guptill, no run, lands just short of a good length outside the off stump, in the channel, Guptill puts his leg forward and shoulders arms

1.2 Steyn to Guptill, no run, angled in towards the middle and leg, worked away to the square leg fielder

1.1 Steyn to Brendon McCullum, 3 runs, not much swing for Steyn, pitched up and around the off stump, driven with not much timing through cover, Amla gives it a chase but the batsmen are quick to complete the third

Dale Steyn will share the new ball with Peterson

0.6 Peterson to Brendon McCullum, 1 run, fuller one, Brendon McCullum drives it to mid on with soft hands for a single, a good start for Peterson, the batsmen look like they have come prepared to face the spinners

0.5 Peterson to Brendon McCullum, no run, loopy delivery and drifting around the leg stump, defended down the leg

0.4 Peterson to Guptill, 1 run, another one flighted around the off and middle, worked away to mid on for a single, soon after taking the single, he walks up to Brendon McCullum and has a couple of tips to give

0.3 Peterson to Guptill, no run, given a bit of air, nicely tossed up on off stump, played back to the bowler, Guptill is not looking aggressive, he does not want to throw his wicket away to a spinner first up

0.2 Peterson to Guptill, no run, flatter one that skids on, leg stump line, Guptill tucks it to square leg, straight to the fielder though

0.1 Peterson to Guptill, no run, slower through the air, drifting in to middle and leg, Guptill gets his front leg out of the way and defends it with the full face

Guptill and Brendon McCullum are at the crease. Guptill is on strike. Peterson will open the attack

Alright, this is Ajith and I will be with you for the first 15 overs. As expected, Smith starts with a spinner. Robin Peterson is the man, he has done this a couple of times before.

Time for the Anthems: Melodious anthems play in the background and the players recite the same with pride. The Proteas' Anthem precedes that of the Kiwis. The Black Caps have their arms around each other's shoulders as they sing their anthem. Batting first was probably the best chance for the Kiwis, will they make the most of it? Ryder hasn't fired, McCullum hasn't played a match winning innings apart from the century against Canada. Time for them to step up and make it count. Some of the South Africans are in a huddle, a mini huddle rather. McCullum has walked out ahead of his partner, his body language suggests that he is raring to go.

Botha, Tahir, Peterson, Duminy and du Plessis - lots of men who can turn the ball for South Africa; New Zealand also have Vettori, Nathan McCullum and Woodcock. The conditions are slightly overcast and it would be interesting to see whether Smith starts off with spin from one end.

Smith: Steyn, Morkel and de Villiers are back in the side. Tsotsobe misses out. AB is keeping wickets, van Wyk misses out of today's game. He has recovered from the niggle, he will be fresh. We have been looking forward to today's game. We have just kept ourselves and are focussing on the tournament.

Vettori: The wicket looks good, we would want to bat first. The wicket will be similar to what we saw in the Pakistan West Indies game. I'm fit but not 100% yet, I need to hide myself in the field. South Africa have been favorites against us before, and we have finished better than them on certain occasions.

New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat

de Villiers: Enjoyed the couple of centuries up front, would love to get into the park and play well. I have worked hard with the physio and the training staff. A break can work in your favor, while it may also work against you. I hope it will help me come back strong and fresh. I still believe India are the favorites, we are playing well, we need to do the basics well and win big moments. Everybody is fit and raring to go today.

Pitch report: There are a few cracks, but the grass covering is quite prominent. The wicket will be skiddy, the wicket will hold good for the entire game. Again, the captain who wins the toss may want to bat first feels Danny Morrison.

Weather report: It rained cats and dogs for 3 hours last night, and there is a bit of rain expected today as well. Max temp: 34 deg

Hello folks, I've still not come out of the hangover of yesterday's thriller between India and Australia. But, today's game promises to be equally good; South Africa are the favorites going into this game while New Zealand, on the other hand, are the dark horses who have always done well in the ICC events. Don't write them out yet, they do have some of the best power hitters in their line up. This is Ajith and I will bring you all the action as and when it unfolds. I will also be joined by Sid V, Pradeep and Srivathsa. Don't go away, more updates are coming your way.

The preview by Gokul Gopal
South Africa and New Zealand would be looking to quickly hop on to an aeroplane, particularly the one that leads to Colombo, while both sides would be fighting it out to avoid the flight back home. South Africa have definitely been one of the best teams in this World Cup and also the favourites to clinch the title, but with New Zealand too playing competitive cricket, it has to be seen if the Proteas do progress to the semi-final or, as they have done so many times in the previous World Cups, choke out.
Head to Head: New Zealand and South Africa have faced each other on 5 occasions in the World Cups. The Kiwis have won 3 games while ending up on the losing side two times. What would give the Black-Caps more confidence is that they have won the last two World Cup matches against the Proteas (2003 and 2007).
Build up to the game:South Africa: Apart from the loss to England in the group stage, the Proteas, by far, have been one of the better sides in this tournament with their entire team having been amongst runs or wickets. AB de Villiers has been their main run accumulator, having scored 318 runs at an average of 106 including 2 hundreds and a fifty. South Africa's Mr. Consistent - Hashim Amla has once again lived up to his tag and is the second highest run -scorer for the Proteas with 299 runs including a hundred and two fifties. The middle order has been South Africa's main strength as the likes of JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis have been making optimum use of the good starts provided by the batters at the top and proceeded to convert those starts to good totals. While chasing too, the middle order has ensured that they led the team to the end. The only concern with the batting is that Graeme Smith has failed to convert good starts into big scores while the team is yet to shed their tendency to choke, as shown in the game against England.
South African bowling has definitely been several notches higher than the other teams in the tournament. They are the only team to bowl out all six opponents in the first round and the bowlers have the lowest average runs per wicket at 17.1 as well as the best strike rate of 23.8 balls per wicket. The South African attack has all the variety with Steyn and Morkel leading from the pace front while the likes of Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson and Johan Botha handling the spin department well. Peterson and Tahir have been the stand-out performers with the ball for the Proteas. The former has taken 14 wickets from 6 games at an average of 13.50 while the latter has 12 wickets from 4 matches at an average of 9.83. Steyn too has been in his elements and his 5-wicket haul against India proved that he is a key member in the South African attack despite the spin-friendly sub-continent tracks.
New Zealand: Like always, the Kiwis started the tournament as dark horses and steadily progressed into the last 8 by beating the minnows easily and also halting Pakistan's winning run in their group match. However, their losses against the top teams, especially against Sri Lanka in the last game, got the alarm bells ringing. It was Ross Taylor's blitzkreig that won the game for the Kiwis against Pakistan, but that apart, New Zealand's performance in this World Cup can be termed only as average. The top order has failed for New Zealand many a times and despite Brendon McCullum scoring a century against Canada, he has been found wanting against the top teams. Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder too haven't been doing enough to lend solidity to the batting department. Apart from Ross Taylor, the rest of the batters are still in search of a good knock out in the middle and they will have to come to the party going up against the might of the Proteas.
Tim Southee has been the spearhead in the New Zealand bowling department, having taken 14 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 15.07. Injuries to key players has been the main problem for the Kiwis. Hamish Bennett was ruled out of the World Cup after an injury to his ankle and Achilles tendon. Kyle Mills, who picked up a quad strain in the game against Canada, has only played in 3 matches so far while Daniel Vettori hurt his knee while attempting a catch in the game against Pakistan and did not feature in 2 matches for New Zealand. However, going into the quarter-finals, New Zealand's bowling would sport a confident look as Kyle Mills and Daniel Vettori are likely to play while also included in the line-up is Daryl Tuffey, who is the replacement for Bennett. Mills, Tuffey and Vettori along with Nathan McCullum have a tough task on hand if they are to restrict the powerful South African batting.
Quotes:
We are used to the conditions, which has got to help us. To play South Africa in those conditions is not a bad draw at all. They obviously prefer a little more pace and bounce in their wickets. Dhaka won't quite give them that and I'm sure they'll be a little disappointed: Brendon McCullum feels that the conditions in Bangladesh would be more suited to the Kiwis.
We know we are up against a quality team and if we are not going to be on top of our game, it's going to be a really tough match. Ross Taylor is definitely a key player and so is Brendon McCullum. And Daniel Vettori is obviously a world class bowler. We respect him a lot: Johan Botha mentioning that South Africa will not take the Kiwis lightly.